As a result, he has only made 13 appearances for United since November 2011, playing just three league games last season.

And the Scotland international confirmed to Sky Sports News he will not figure at the start of David Moyes’ reign, saying: "I'm still in the hands of the surgeons at the moment - I've not actually started training yet. I've been doing my own little bit in the gym, which is keeping me ticking along nicely and I'm waiting for the surgeon to give me the go-ahead to join in training.

"I don't have a timescale for when I will be back playing really. Hopefully it is not going to be too far away in the distant future. I just need to be patient. After all I've gone through I think it's important that I'm patient. If it means a few extra weeks to get myself right, then so be it."

Meanwhile, club captain Nemanja Vidic will return to the United team for their friendly against AIK Solna in Stockholm on Tuesday.